What to know before a driveway extension in Portishead
In Portishead, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
Sloping plots are common in the South West, which affects edging, steps and where the water runs.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Portishead?
Guide price in Portishead: £90–£150 per m² including VAT, which puts a 15 m² extension at about £1,550–£2,600. These are South West guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £90–£150 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,000–£3,000 |
Guide figures for the South West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
The hard part is the join. Blocks from the same range can differ in shade from a batch made years ago, and older blocks have weathered, so the survey looks at whether a close match is possible, whether lifting and re-mixing some existing blocks will help, or whether a deliberate border or contrasting panel will look better than a near-miss.
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- Joint sand, compaction and a clean-down of the old section
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
What we check on a Portishead survey
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Do you need permission in Portishead?
Portishead is in England, so these rules apply:
In England, paving in front of the house that covers more than 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway inside your boundary. Permeable block paving, or standard blocks laid to fall onto a planted strip, avoid the need for permission in most cases.
Flats and maisonettes, listed buildings, and homes covered by an Article 4 direction can have tighter rules, and conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes restrict some permitted development.
A dropped kerb needs your local highway authority's approval (usually the county, unitary, metropolitan or London borough council), and a new access onto an A, B or C classified road also needs planning permission.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
What happens next
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
How we work
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Drive extensions in Portishead: questions
How long does a driveway extension take to build?
Most homes take between three and seven working days, depending on size, the dig and the drainage. Your quote gives the expected duration.
Is the survey in Portishead free?
Yes, for new paving here: the survey and written quote are free with no obligation. Repairs and cleaning are usually priced from photos, or from a short visit where needed.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Portishead?
Our guide for Portishead is £90–£150 per m² including VAT, so a 15 m² extension is usually about £1,550–£2,600. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Portishead?
We bring samples to the survey and suggest blocks and borders that suit the age and brick of the house. Final colour is your choice.
Drive extensions near Portishead
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Somerset:
- Drive extensions in Nailsea
- Drive extensions in Clevedon
- Drive extensions in Weston-super-Mare
- Drive extensions in Bath
- Drive extensions in Burnham-on-Sea
